Moussaka With Artichokes Tomatoes And Potatoes Recipes

MOUSSAKA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. Arrange potato and eggplant slices in 2 greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans, overlapping as needed. Bake until cooked through, 20 minutes. Set aside; reduce oven setting to 400°., In a large skillet, cook lamb, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, 7-9 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir in tomatoes, water, tomato paste, 1/4 teaspoon salt, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes., In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg., Arrange par-cooked potatoes in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, overlapping as needed. Top with lamb mixture. Arrange eggplant over top, overlapping as needed. , Top with bechamel sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.

MOUSSAKA WITH ARTICHOKES, TOMATOES, AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Layer the potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker insert. Then layer all the eggplant slices on top.
• Grind the cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, and allspice to a powder in an electric coffee mill or a mortar and pestle.
• In a large sauté pan, heat the oil and cook the onion until it begins to brown, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic, spices, wine, tomatoes, and artichokes and continue to simmer until the pan is nearly dry. Add salt to taste.
• Pour the tomato-artichoke sauce carefully over the eggplant and potatoes. (The dish can be assembled to this point a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight.)
• Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the stew easily penetrates all the layers.
• While the vegetables are cooking, make the custard topping. Combine the milk and flour in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to thickly coat the back of a spoon. Gradually stir in the cheese, then turn off the heat and rapidly whisk in the egg yolks one at a time. Stir in a dash of nutmeg.
• Carefully pour the custard over the vegetables, trying not to dislodge them. Cover and continue cooking for about 1 hour longer, or until the custard is set.
• Turn off the slow cooker and let the moussaka sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then carefully spoon up individual portions into a pasta bowl.
• I find that it helps to slice the dish into 4 to 6 portions right in the slow cooker insert with a sharp knife before removing the portions with a spoon. That way, each portion is a little tidier.
• I would love a good Greek wine. I would enjoy Kir-Yianni's Xinomavro. And if you can't find any, opt for a full-bodied red or any good dry rosé.

MOUSSAKA WITH ARTICHOKES, TOMATOES, AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Layer the potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker insert. Then layer all the eggplant slices on top.
• Grind the cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns and allspice to a powder in an electric spice mill or mortar and pestle.
• In a large saute pan, heat the oil and cook the onion until it begins to brown, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic, spices, wine, tomatoes, and artichokes and continue to simmer until the pan is nearly dry. Add salt to taste.
• Pour the tomato-artichoke sauce carefully over the eggplant and potatoes (this dish can be assembled to this point a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator overnight). Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the stew easily penetrates all the layers.
• While the vegetables are cooking, make the custard topping. Combine the milk and flour in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens enough to thickly coat the back of a spoon. Gradually stir in the cheese, then turn off the heat and rapidly whisk in the egg yolks one at a time. Stir in a dash of nutmeg.
• Carefully pour the custard over the vegetables, trying not to dislodge them. Cover and continue cooking for about 1 hour longer, or until the custard is set.
• Turn off the slow cooker and let the moussaka sit for 15-20 minutes, then carefully spoon up individual portions into a pasta bowl. Tip: The recipe suggests slicing up the dish into 4-6 portions right in the slow cooker insert with a sharp knife before removing the portions with a spoon.